100 years of Moviemento

The Moviemento Kino has a history that goes back to the dawn of moving pictures: it was founded in 1907 by Alfred Topp, whose name was possibly the source of the local term Kintopp. As an independent Programmkino (indicating that someone actually selects the program, rather than allowing it be dictated by distribution companies), Moviemento was saved twice by unlikely hits: Rocky Horror Picture Show in the 1970s and Dani Levi’s quintessential Kreuzberg film Du mich auch 10 years later. The cinema was a gathering spot and Kindergarten for the illustrious likes of Blixa Bargeld, Wieland Speck and Tom

Tykwer, who all at some point worked there as projectionists or ticket sellers. Without Moviemento, there would be no X-Filme – the founders of this influential production and distribution company met there. Auf der anderen Seite der Leinwand may have a few clumsy moments, but it certainly makes its point well: film and filmmaking cannot exist without a proper breeding ground.

AUF DER ANDEREN SEITE DER LEINWAND – 100 JAHRE MOVIEMENTO | Directed by Bernd Sobolla (Germany 2010). German OV. Starts April 29.